Val Mindel and Gene Yellin Host Folk Music Workshop, 4/29

This "voices-on" workshop is designed for singers eager to improve their harmony skills and for musicians looking to get more deeply into singing early American country/old-time/bluegrass music. It will concentrate on chord-based, close vocal harmony. Small groups will work on duets and trios with other workshop participants. Recording devices are encouraged. Everything is taught by ear, with word sheets. Participants should be a step up from beginning singers, and feel comfortable matching pitch and holding a part against someone else (think "row, row, row your boat" as a round).

Val Mindel is a founding member of the Any Old Time String Band out of California (Arhoolie label: "I Bid You Goodnight") and has taught various aspects of bluegrass and country harmony for years at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music, Augusta Heritage Center, Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, Jalopy (in Brooklyn), etc. You can hear her online at www.valandemmy.com.

Gene Yellin is well known in the NY bluegrass world as both a singer and guitar player. He has played and recorded with such luminaries as the late Hazel Dickens and Gene Lowinger (former fiddler with Bill Monroe) and has been in a number of bands including Breakfast Special (Kenny Kosek, Tony Trischka, Andy Statman, etc.), Yellin Grass (with brother Bob), and American Flyer (Ben Freed, Ethan Kende, Phil Zimmerman) for many years.

Space is limited, so you must register in advance by Apr. 18.. Either send a check for $35 made out to 'FMSNY,' with your phone number & email address to Alan Friend, Education Chair, 440 Fifth STREET, (NOT AVENUE), Brooklyn, NY 11215, or register and pay online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/236901. Information: 718-965-4074

The Folk Music Society of New York, Inc. hosts workshops for music lovers who can learn new skills, and concerts for music lovers who can relax and listen, sing along on the chorus, or dance in the aisles to the best of traditional music. For more information go online to www.folkmusicny.org.